Around the World's Markets: New York

US STOCKS were mixed. Intel led a rally in the Nasdaq index after settling an anti-trust lawsuit, while American Express and McDonald's held back the Dow Jones in its march toward 10,000.

The Nasdaq soared 60.51 points, 2.6 per cent, to 2,397.62, its biggest rise since 11 February. The Dow was little changed at 9,727.61, down 8.47, less than 0.1 per cent, after a 268-point jump on Friday that put it within 265 points of 10,000.